Ordo Hereticus
The Ordo Hereticus is one of three major orders of the Inquisition. Their specific role is protecting mankind from itself, by combating such internal threats as treason, mutation, heresy and "witches". They are aided militarily by the Adeptus Ministorum's Adepta Sororitas. Because of its vast jurisdiction and mission, the Ordo Hereticus is the largest of all the Inquisitions Ordo's.4
Foundation
The Ordo Hereticus was founded much later than the Ordo Xenos and Ordo Malleus, created after the Age of Apostasy which occurred during the second century of the 36th millennium. The Apostasy and the many heresies that took root during the anarchy (most notably the Plague of Unbelief), had severely destabilized the Imperium in a way not seen since the Horus Heresy.1
The Ordo Hereticus was formed as a check on the Ecclesiarchy, ensuring that another man like Vandire could not gain the level of power and control he did. Although the Ecclesiarchy has its own internal regulatory bodies, it is still the role of the Inquisition to monitor all organizations (including the Ecclesiarchy) of the Imperium.
Role
Although primarily concerned with monitoring the Ecclesiarchy, the Ordo Hereticus has expanded its jurisdiction to encompass the other internal threats to the Imperium: witches, mutants, heretics, traitors and other deviants among mankind. Hereticus Inquisitors are the most feared members of the Inquisition, as their focus is on Mankind itself. The arrival of an Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor on a world is met with fear and awe, as no one but the Inquisitor himself knows where his attentions will fall.1
The members of the Ordo Hereticus monitor the Wars of Faith inspired by the Ecclesiarchy, to ensure they remain within the objectives assigned by the Ecclesiarch. They ensure that the teachings preached by priests of the Imperial Cult remain true to the spirit of the Emperor's will. They regulate the wealth and territory claimed by members of the Ecclesiarchy, to prevent higher members of the institution from gaining more power than is appropriate.
The Ordo Hereticus is also called upon to monitor other Imperial organisations for internal threats, including the Adeptus Arbites, the Space Marines, and even the Inquisition itself. Only the Emperor is beyond their jurisdiction1.
This Ordo raises its own fleet and also provides the ship crews for the Grey Knights. Those selected candidates each possess a complex psycho-trigger that was built into their minds by way of sleep-indoctrination. This allowed a Grey Knight to wipe the higher brain functions if an order was given thus preventing them from taking over a vessel in case they turned against the Imperium.3-p50
Adepta Sororitas
After the Age of Apostasy, the Ecclesiarchy was forbidden from possessing any "men under arms" by the Decree Passive issued by Sebastian Thor. A loophole was found and exploited by refounding the Daughters of the Emperor as warrior-nuns after merging them into the greater Sisterhood. The Sisterhood is an internal regulator, along with being an external army, ordered to ensure that true faith is spread throughout the Imperium and the galaxy.
Although completely unalike in their methods (where Inquisitors are analytical and suspicious, the Sisters of Battle are zealous and unquestioning of dogma) the Sisters and the Hereticus also have the common purpose of eradicating threats from within. Recognising this, the two organisations joined together in their efforts, a relationship formalised by the Convocation of Nephilim. Although the Sororitas and its Sisters of Battle remain part of the Ecclesiarchy, they respond when called upon by Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus.
Notable Members
Game History
In second edition the Sisterhood in itself was a complete army, described in Codex: Sisters of Battle.
In third edition the Sisterhood was added to the forces of the Inquisition's Ordo Hereticus, introduced as an army in the Witch Hunters codex.
Games Workshop did not immediately release a 4th Edition Codex for either Inquisition army, but did release temporary FAQ updates for use of the miniatures in the 4th Edition. Also, the Specialist Games-supported skirmish wargame Inquisitor allows players to use Ordo Hereticus characters in 54mm scale.
